"John was an extraordinary talent and his friendly, informative style has been a warm welcome to sports fans for decades. His wide range of accomplishments across numerous sports and championship events is among the most impressive this industry has ever seen. More importantly, John was a beloved and devoted family man who cared deeply about people and causes, as evidenced by his long-standing efforts as a passionate board member for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. He was one of the most significant and influential members of the ESPN family, as a colleague and mentor, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this extremely difficult time."

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

Saunders started at ESPN as a SportsCenter anchor in 1986 and he quickly evolved into a voice for college sports and the host of The Sports Reporters. He also served as a board member for the V Foundation for Cancer Research.